It's no secret that unplugging your digital devices can lead to a less stressful life, but according to a study from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, putting them away can actually help you lose weight. The results of the study show that "a two-hour exposure to light from self-luminous electronic displays can suppress melatonin (the hormone that regulates our circadian rhythms and signals to our bodies, "Hey, it's time for bed") by about 22 percent." This gap leads to delayed sleep, disrupted sleep, and early morning waking times.

This news is worrisome because less sleep means we are more apt to pack on the pounds. When our bodies are rested, we produce leptin, the hormone that tells us to stop eating, but when we don't get ample rest, gherlin, the hormone that tells to eat, will be in full swing, causing us to overeat.

It's bad enough that when we are sleep deprived we will feel even hungrier throughout the day, but that those food cravings will be for junk foods is even worse. Less sleep restricts our prefrontal cortexes (the part of the brain that allows us to reason, plan, and regulate impulses), so we're more likely to grab that chocolate croissant with our vanilla latte at Starbucks in the morning.

Though laying off Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube won't make you shed pounds instantly, a digital detox may give your metabolism a boost and your body a much-needed rest.